How to Wear DIY: Work dress-up

11.02.2011

It's always a struggle this time of year, sewing and making clothes that are wearable for the cooler weather. Cotton sundresses are the easiest for me to make, but they do not work in Oregon year-round. So I was so excited to pull this work dress out of the closet just recently and add a few interesting pieces, to make it look new and different for this year!

I don't wear black much. I really don't like it--it feels too severe for my pale skin and my age, I think. I dunno. But I do looooove grey. This heather grey suiting, made up into a structured dress, is super cute to me, but really goes best with black (not as cute to me!). But I made it work, I think, with this cool vintage gold/pearl/black necklace I have, and some fave "shooties" from JCPenney last winter. And a cool gold cuff. I guess if I make the black look less basic, less generic, and treat it like an accent color? then it works for me.

The whole look. I also love that cardi, despite the fact that it's black--love the preppy contrast detail, and it's lovely merino from Banana Republic (fall 2010--I got it at Goodwill for $5).

It is hard to sew or buy work clothes that look age appropriate for all of us in our 20's. I tend to go for traditional suiting fabrics but in trendier styles. Maybe an interesting neckline, pockets, etc.

I actually think the black looks stunning on you! It tends to look fantastic on people with paler skin, especially your peaches and cream complexion. I also love how the whole ensemble is modest, but not frumpy.

I think this gorgeous grey dress would look really good with some other autumnal colors, like cranberry or a deep purple. I've yet to try sewing stuff for fall/winter, but since I don't work in an office, I don't really have much need for it.

On a different note, I'm giving away a necklace similar to the one you're wearing on my blog: http://megshandmadelife.blogspot.com